Where Is The Disconnect?? Filipina Is Telling Me $1K Is A Lot!!

[davewe]

If you only have a fixed income of 1k a month and that's all you have, well that's all you have. Might be ok to say that 2k or even 3k would be great but you don't have it. I know I would rather survive here on 1k than try to in my own country. Also as I am older I don't really want to be traveling all over the country, I have been doing that since I was 22y.o and now just want what I have, a nice house, a wonderful companion, a beer, food as good as I can eat. If some one wants to live in a nippa hut and $500 a month with a pig for company and go native and that floats his boat, good luck to him, if he wakes every morning happy and contented who I am to say he should be doing otherwise, too each his own. That's why I came here, got sick of people telling me what I can and can't do.

+1. Whenever these conversations start, and they are on every Philippines or expat forum, it always seems to me to be framed ass backwards. The issue isn't what it takes to live a nice life on a fixed amount, it's what kind of life you can live on YOUR fixed amount. Once you determine what your budget is, then many other decisions fall into place. If you only have $1000/month, then you are unlikely to live in a Western style condo in Manila. Such a person is more likely to live in a small city or province, renting an apartment or modest house, buying from the wet markets, using little or no air con, etc.

 

The guy with a fixed income of $5k can easily find a way to spend that $5k. Maybe he'll live in a big city in a fancier place, eat out a lot, eat his fave Western foods, hit the bars, have a girl or 2 (or 10), own a new car, etc. For him all that's a necessity; for others not so much.

 

So the question ought to be, if you had an income of $1k a month (or 3k or 5k) what options would you have.

 

I was reading an article about solar power in the Philippines. The subject of the article was a Filipino, living with his family in Manila and spending $550/month on his electric bill. Do you have to spend $550/month on electricity? Nope. But he did; musta had an air con in every room. I may be a "rich kano" but I sure as hell am not that rich :)

Edited August 2, 2014 by davewe

[cebu rocks]

I tried for 1 month to pull my head in and save money which included no trips, no fancy restos , drinking at home with friends ,

 

buying food at the market eating local foods .  At the end of the month my over all costs including Visa was 750 dollars .

 

That was survival mode although I stiil had fun and would do it in a heart beat if it was a straight up choice between living in The Phils or Canada at the same budget.

 

You guys seem to forget what kind of life would I live in Canada for 750 a month ?   Yes 1000 a month is not holidays or a easy life but compared to western lifestyles

 

1000 a month is way way better than what you will get at home period plus add in the weather and the company you will get and its a no brainer 

 

Myself I find 1500 comfortable which lets me travel every weekend to a resort and live the tourist life at least on the weekends  .

[i am bob]

Whenever these conversations start, and they are on every Philippines or expat forum, it always seems to me to be framed ass backwards. The issue isn't what it takes to live a nice life on a fixed amount, it's what kind of life you can live on YOUR fixed amount.

 

You really know how to make me feel dumb sometimes...   :rolleyes:   :mocking:   This is exactly what the question - and answer - should be!

 

Thank you!!!

 

:tiphat:  :thumbsup:

[davewe]

 

Whenever these conversations start, and they are on every Philippines or expat forum, it always seems to me to be framed ass backwards. The issue isn't what it takes to live a nice life on a fixed amount, it's what kind of life you can live on YOUR fixed amount.

 

You really know how to make me feel dumb sometimes...   :rolleyes:   :mocking:   This is exactly what the question - and answer - should be!

 

Thank you!!!

 

:tiphat:  

It sounds like a cliche but there's nothing wrong with the fact that we all have to live on different incomes. That's true in your home country too. Do you make 25k, 50k, 150k or 500k? each one of those guys will tell you that they are able to make it (if barely) on that income. Me too! I make more than ever but I don't know where the money goes every month. OK, I actually do know where it goes, but still - it goes. I am sure a guy can live in PI for $1k. I'm not going to, but I am sure it happens plenty. I am also sure I know of a few rich kanos who spend like they are - well, rich kanos. 

 

I have taught my 18 year old son this philosophy and I think it's true. No matter how much you make, you're gonna be broke - the richer guy's just broke at a higher level. 

[pokermike]

davewe you are correct , i make over $200,000 per year and only have a $500,000 saved , i feel like i am broke. i think if i go their at least the women after my money will all be under 40, i am 67. just want to have fun now my budget will be $7,500 per month forever but i am sure i will blow that too. never been much for saving but sure love to have fun.   poker mike

[jon1]

pokermike, you can also find some poker games here in the PI to augment your budget or pass the time. There is a poker room in Ortigas (Manila) and I saw one here in the Freeport. There are casinos in Manila, Clark, Subic, and Olongapo too. I haven't gone into them but am sure they have poker too. I don't gamble so I can't speak to how they are.

[cebu rocks]

Damn poker mike 7500/month I would really have a hard time spending that without a few girls to help

[davewe]

davewe you are correct , i make over $200,000 per year and only have a $500,000 saved , i feel like i am broke. i think if i go their at least the women after my money will all be under 40, i am 67. just want to have fun now my budget will be $7,500 per month forever but i am sure i will blow that too. never been much for saving but sure love to have fun.   poker mike

Well pokermike, let me know where you will be living. I need a couple rich friends :)

[Gerald Glatt]

davewe you are correct , i make over $200,000 per year and only have a $500,000 saved , i feel like i am broke. i think if i go their at least the women after my money will all be under 40, i am 67. just want to have fun now my budget will be $7,500 per month forever but i am sure i will blow that too. never been much for saving but sure love to have fun.   poker mike

So $7500 per on wine women and song.........guess you'll just blow the rest......it is much more fun in fil

[robert k]

Just some thoughts. Live like a king for $1k has been around for awhile, has anyone thought of adjusting it for inflation?

 

Another thing is how much you need to have on hand for a medical emergency. I believe that even with insurance you may need to have a few thousand dollars available or a credit card to get admitted to a hospital, I plan to have at least 3 months operating capital on hand at all times anyway againt banking problems. Looking at some insurance plans from what looks like a reputable company, at 46-50 my premiums would be around $200 a year if I were willing to be admitted to a ward or $650 a year premium for a private room for up to P3,000,000 insurance. This may not help those over 65 because it didn't look like they accept those over 65, but there are alot of men 40 to 55 who are looking to make the move.

 

There may even be a possibility of a 25% discount from that if you forgoe hopping a plane to the west or Japan where the treatment would be much more expensive. I'm not absolutely sure about the discount because it was from an old link but it sounds reasonable.

 

 Personally going on what I have heard, I would be just as happy being treated at St. Lukes in Manila as I would at a hospital in Ft.Worth Texas.

 

I never like betting against myself but at a minimum of $200 a year against accident or catastrophic illness, I've laid out alot more than that on a night out. Presumably if you make it 24 hours the insurance company can start shouldering the cost.